The appointments were made to replace retiring faculty or those taking new roles

Four departments in Rochester Institute of Technology’s College of Liberal Arts have new chairs.

They are:

Andrea Hickerson, who now heads the School of Communication. The school offers undergraduate degrees in communication, advertising and public relations, and journalism, and a master’s degree in communication and media technologies.

Jonathan Kruger, who now heads the Department of Performing Arts and Visual Culture. The department offers 40 music and theater courses and eight ensembles that offer academic credit, as well as a joint undergraduate degree in museum studies in partnership with the Department of History.

Michael Laver, who now heads the Department of History. The Department of History jointly offers an undergraduate degree in museum studies with the Department of Performing Arts and Visual Culture, as well as numerous immersion and minors in the general education curriculum.

John McCluskey, who now heads the Department of Criminal Justice. The department offers an undergraduate degree and master’s degree in criminal justice.

The appointments, made by Dean James Winebrake, replaced department heads who are either retiring or are taking on other responsibilities in the college.

“I am pleased to welcome Drs. Hickerson, Kruger, Laver and McCluskey into their new administrative roles,” he said. “They are a group of highly dedicated and skilled leaders who I am confident will help move the college forward and selflessly serve our many students, faculty and staff.”